Sussex Police investigating theft of Green Party boards

Ten boards were reportedly stolen from Storrington overnight on April 30, with two others taken in separate thefts – one in Pulborough and another in Storrington.

Under the Theft Act 1968, the theft of election materials is a criminal offence.

Catherine Ross, of the Horsham District Green Party, said: “This is deeply disappointing behaviour. We have committed to running a clean, positive campaign focused on local issues that matter to residents.

“Stealing campaign materials is not only criminal but it’s an attack on the democratic process itself.

“It’s telling that only Green boards are visible across our streets and countryside. To date we have spotted no boards up from Reform, the Conservatives, Labour or the Liberal Democrats. Clearly, the opposition are worried.

“The word on the doorstep is that Greens are set to win on May 7. We will not be deterred by this underhand behaviour. If anything, it shows how nervous our opponents are about the strong support we’re receiving from local residents.”

A spokesman said the party has installed CCTV cameras to deter further incidents.

Anyone with information about the thefts is asked to contact Sussex Police on 101, quoting crime number 47260111953 or CAD No 209-02/05/2226.

Twenty-two candidates will be standing for the Greens in the West Sussex County Council elections and 18 in the Horsham Parish Council elections.

The county council candidates are: Fontwell – Sue Wallsgrove, Arundel and Courtwick – Isabel Thurston, Chichester South – Benedict Targett, Angmering and Findon – Sam Lovely, Bersted – Imogen Lysandrou, Bognor Regis East – Stephen Bennett, Bognor Regis West & Aldwick – John Erskine, Bourne – Antoine Delepine, Chichester East – Juliette Flack, Chichester North – Billy Nicholls, Chichester West – Jez Sugars, East Preston and Ferring – Liz Hammond, Littlehampton East – Eva Holmberg, Littlehampton Town – Anita Lawrence, Middleton – Rebekah Bullen, Midhurst – Philip Maber, Nyetimber – Carol Birch, Petworth – Tim Elwell, Rother Valley – Ginny Barrett, Rustington – Gavin Graham, Selsey – Claire Byrne, The Witterings – Andrew Swain.

The parish council candidates are: Chesworth and Oakhill (three seats) – Jollyon Benn, Edward Black­lock, Amy Isted; Denne (two seats) – Ben­jamin Brace, Rox­anne Mashari; Forest (two seats) – Ian Nicol, Kim Wake­field; High­wood & Black­bridge (three seats) – David Ash­ley, Joseph Fran­cis, Sian Jones; Hor­sham Park (one seat) – Jen Nuin Smith; Kings­lea (one seat) – Florian Yeates; Mill­pond (one seat) – Char­lotte Owen-Burge; New Town (two seats) – Sam­antha Taylor, Mar­garet Weir-Wilson; Tra­fal­gar (three seats) – Mark Fran­cis, Sandra Val­lens, Morag War­rack.